Final Score: Tennessee 48 | Arkansas State 27 

The Final Word: The Vols offense looked solid. Chris Brown, Josh Briscoe and Lucas Taylor all stepped up their game. Ainge was solid. The defensive line did a great job applying pressure. The secondary is a work in progress. The kick coverage improved for the most part. This team still has lots of room for improvement. However, for a game that many expected to be close, the Vols looked better than expected.

10:32 p.m. -T-0:00: Arkansas State picks up a couple more yards. The clock has run out of time. The Vols win it 48-27.

10:31 p.m. -T-1:00: Wilkerson picks up four yards. It's now 3rd and 4. There is one minute left in the game.

10:31 p.m. -T-1:30: Wilkerson carries for a short gain. The clock is winding down 1:30 left in the game.

10:30 p.m. -T-1:56: Colquitt will come in to punt on fourth down. The kick goes out of bounds at the nienteen. 1:56 remaining with the Vols in front 48-27.

10:30 p.m. -T-2:35: Crompton throws a short swing to Luke Stocker. It's now fourth down.

10:29 p.m. -T-3:20: Creer picks up a five yard gain. It's now 3rd and 2 at the 38 yard line.

10:28 p.m. -T-3:56: Crompton is in the game. Creer carries for a two yard game.

10:27 p.m. -T-4:29: The Vols recover a fumble after a complete pass. The Vols have the ball at their own 31 yard line.

10:27 p.m. -T-4:58: It's 2nd and 11. Leonard throws a short screen to Cedric Wilkerson. He is tackled for a loss of one. It's 3rd and 12 now with 4:58 to play.

10:26 p.m. -T-5:25: Leonard evades a sack and runs across the field to go out of bounds.

10:25 p.m. -T-5:40: Leonard passes for a first down to Tompkins. It will be Indian ball at the UT 41 yard line.

10:25 p.m. -T-6:00: Leonard is in the shotgun and he runs a quarterback draw and picks up minimal yardage.

10:24 p.m. -T-6:24: DeJohnette picks up four yards on a pass from Leonard.

10:23 p.m. -T-6:30: Leonard scrambles and picks up the first down at the 47 yard line of ASU.

10:22 p.m. -T-6:48: Leonard in the shotgun and he nearly throws an interception as Willingham was defending the play.

10:21 p.m. -T-7:00: Leonard completes a short pass to Kevin Jones. He picks up two yards. It's 2nd and 8 with 7:00 to play.

10:20 p.m. -T-7:28: The Tennessee defense is off sides and the Indians have a first down at the thirty five yardline.

10:19 p.m. -T-7:45: Leonard in the shotgun hands off to Arnold. He picks up a small amount. We are now under 8 minutes to play.

10:19 p.m. -T-8:28: The Indians run with Reggie Arnold. He picks up a yard.

10:18 p.m. -T-8:50: The kickoff is returned by Preston Brown to the 23 yard line. 1st and 10 for the Indians.

10:16 p.m. -T-8:57: After the timeout. the Vols don't pick up the first down after losing five on a screen pass. Lincoln is on to attempt a field goal. He makes the 39 yard kick to maintain his perfection.The score is now 48-27 Vols with 8:57 remaining.

10:14 p.m. -T-9:52: Ainge underthrows Denarius Moore who was near the goal line on a play action pass. It's 3rd and 7.

10:13 p.m. -T-10:10: Ainge completes a pass to Denarius Moore for a Tennessee first down at the 19. Foster picks up a short amount on first down.

10:12 p.m. -T-10:55: Ainge under center hands off to Coker who scampers all the way to the 32 of ASU. for a 27 yard gain. Coker now has surpassed the 100 yard mark.

10:11 p.m. -T-11:35: Ainge drops back and has Kenny O'Neal for a first down. The Vols have the ball at the ASU 41.

10:09 p.m. -T-11:50: Coker takes the carry up the middle and picks up three yards. The Vols are at the ASU 31 yard line.

10:08 p.m. -T-12:38: Ainge is under center. Coker in the backfield. He takes the carry and gets to the corner and picks up 9 yards. It's 2nd and 1. On 2nd the Vols run with Coker and he gets the first down.

10:07 p.m. -T-12:49: Hefney fields the punt and ends up going in the wrong direction as he tried to find a hole in the coverage. He lost thirteen yards on the return. The Vols will have the ball at their own 11.

10:05 p.m. -T-13:03: Leonard's pass is dropped on Dejohnette. It's third and ten for the Indians. Leonard is now in the shotgun. His pass sails over the intended receiver Tompkins. It's fourth down and the Indians will punt the ball.

10:03 p.m. -T-13:14: Leonard is in the shotgun on first down. He avoids pressure and eventually throws it away as Walter Fisher was applying the heat.

10:02 p.m. -T-13:24: The Vols kick off to the Indians. Tompkins jukes his way to the 28 yard line. Antonio Wardlow makes the tackle.

9:58 p.m. -T-13:37: Ainge under center fires to Lucas Taylor who turns a short route into a 24 yard touchdown pass. It's now 45-27 Vols with 13:37 left in the fourth quarter.

9:57 p.m. -T-14:51: Ainge hands off to Foster who picks up four yards. It's 2nd and 6.

9:56 p.m. -T-14:25: Ainge is under center. and he hands off to Foster who picks up thirteen yards.

9:56 p.m. -T-14:31: Foster carries for a gain of seven. It's 2nd and 3 for the Vols.

9:55 p.m. -T-14:34: Ainge rolls out and finds Josh Briscoe who makes a fine catch amongst some Indian defenders. 1st and 10 Vols at the ASU 48.

9:55 p.m. -T-14:54: Creer and Coker are deep for the Vols. The Indians kickoff goes out of bounds. The Vols will take the ball at the 35 yard line where it will be 1st and 10 for the Vols.

9:50 p.m. -T-14:54: The Indians are in goal line formation. Reggie Arnold finds his way to the end zone. An Indian offensive lineman is hurt.The play is now under review. The injured lineman Kyle Koets is up and it's now being reported that Marsalous Johnson has suffered a chest contusion.The ruling on the field stands. The crowd isn't happy but the correct call has been made. Arauco will attempt the extra point. The kick is good. Tennessee now leads 38-27.

Fourth Quarter 

9:46 p.m. -End of the Third Quarter: It's the end of the third quarter. Tennessee, 38, Arkansas State, 20. Second and goal at the inch line to open the fourth.

9:46 p.m. -T-0:25: It's first and goal for the Indians. Leonard is under center . Arnold carries, and he is just short of the endzone.

9:45 p.m. -T-0:51: It's third down, Leonard is in the shotgun. He completes a pass over the middle. David Johnson breaks a couple tackles and drags DeAngelo Willingham to the one-yard line.

9:44 p.m. -T-1:17: Arnold carries for a five-yard gain. It's third and five.

9:43 p.m. -T-1:45: Leonard throws, it's incomplete, Willingham with the coverage. It's second and 10 at the 46.

9:43 p.m. -T-1:58: Arnold slips a few tackles for a first down.Arkansas State ball at their own 46.

9:42 p.m. -T-2:31: Leonard hands off to Arnold, who picks up two yards. It's second and eight at their own 34.

9:41 p.m. -T-3:00: Leonard, under center, hands off to Arnold, who takes off for a 14-yard run. It's first and 10 for the Indians.

9:40 p.m. -T-3:20: The Vols will punt the ball on fourth down. Colquitt with another gem. Jones runs backward 10 yards from his orignal spot. The Indians will start out at their own 18-yard line.

9:38 p.m. -T-3:40: It's third down and one for the Vols. Ainge is under center. He hands off to Creer, who can't get a handle on the ball. It's fumbled and the Vols have retained possession.

9:37 p.m. -T-4:30: The Vols take over at their own 21-yard line, where it will be first and 10 for the Vols. UT leads 38-20 with 5:06 remaining in the third quarter. Creer takes the handoff for a gain of six.

9:36 p.m. -T-5:32: Third and 10 at their own 33. The Indians line up in the shotgun. Leaonard is under pressure and dumps it to his tailback Preston Brown, who is lassoed by Nevin McKenzie in the open field. The Indians will punt the ball.

9:35 p.m. -T-6:05: Second and 10, the Indians run play action. The pass is deflected and nearly intercepted by DeAngelo Willingham.

9:34 p.m. -T-6:13: Leonard is in the shotgun, and the ball is nearly intercepted by Johnathan Hefney.

9:33 p.m. -T-6:18: Cunningham kicks off. Tompkins takes it to the 33 of Arkansas State.

9:32 p.m. -T-6:26: Ainge, under center, hands off to Coker, who waltzes untouched into the endzone. Lincoln drills the extra point, and the Vols have a 38-20 lead.

9:31 p.m. -T-6:49: Coker with a nice cut, he takes it to the two-yard line. It's third and goal.

9:31 p.m. -T-7:30: Coker carries for a pick up of three. It's second and goal at the six.

9:30 p.m. -T-7:51: Ainge, in the shotgun, finds Chris Brown, who fights for the first down. The Vols are at the nine of Arkansas State where it is first and goal.

9:29 p.m. -T-8:12: Ainge with an 'I' formation, hands off to Coker, who slides for three yard gain. It's third and four.

9:28 p.m. -T-9:10: Johnson returned the pass for 28 yards. Ainge is under center. He hands off to Coker, who picks up four yards, second and six.

9:27 p.m. -T-9:27: Leonard's pass intercepted by Marsalous Johnson. The Vols will have the ball at Arkansas State's 19-yard line.

9:26 p.m. -T-9:48: Leonard is once again in the shotgun. He runs leftand loses the ball. The ruling on the field is that he was down. First down for the Indians.

9:26 p.m. -T-10:10: Leonard is in the shotgun and Arnold carries. It is third and second at the 28.

9:25 p.m. -T-10:39: Leonard is in the shotgun formation. He runs away from pressure, and he is lucky as the Vols narrowly miss an interception. Vols with an 11-point lead.

9:23 p.m. -T-10:47: Colquitt with a deep, high punt, fair catch by Kevin Jones. Arkansas State will have the ball at their own 20. Colquitt's punt goes for 49 yards.

9:21 p.m. -T-10:54: Ainge is in the shotgun with three receivers. The play never happens as there is a delay of game on Tennessee. It is now third and long for the Vols.Ainge finds his third man, but the pass is overthrown. The Vols will be punting.

9:20 p.m. -T-11:39: Ainge rolls out and finds Briscoe, who picks up three yards. This brings up third and four at their own 36.

9:19 p.m. -T-12:23: Ainge, under center, hands off to Foster, and he picks up minimal yardage. It will be second and seven at the 33.

9:18 p.m. -T-12:41: Coker returns and finds a seam. He crosses the 30, where Tennessee will start its drive.

9:17 p.m. -T-12:47: The kick is good, and the score is now Tennessee 31, Arkansas State 20.

9:15 p.m. -T-12:53: Leonard is now in the shotgun. He rolls right and takes the sack by Demonte Bolden. Arkansas State loses 8 yards. It's now fourth down. and Josh Arauco will attempt the field goal.

9:13 p.m. -T-13:33: Leonard is under center with a single back in Brown. The pass is incomplete intended for Dejohnette. The Vols covered nicely.

9:10 p.m. -T-13:40: Leonard is under center and finds his slot man, Kevin Jones for a gain of 12. Leonard throws a fade that is incomplete. It's second down annd 10 from the 12-yard line. Xavier Mitchell, who suffered from a concussion in the California game, is now hurt. Mitchell gets up on his own power and appears to be alright.

9:09 p.m. -T-14:05: Arnold busts a huge gain all the way to Tennessee's 22. It's a 44 yard gain.

9:07 p.m. -T-14:54: Arkansas State will be receiving to open the second half. Chad Cunningham kicks off. Tompkins returns to the 32-yard line.
 

Halftime - Tennessee 31 | Arkansas State 17

8:53 p.m. -Halftime: It's very clear that Tennessee is more talented. If they avoid the mistakes, such as the Ainge interception then they will have no trouble winning this game. The kick coverage for the most part has been much better. The defense isn't great but has been good enough.

8:46 p.m. -End of the First Half: Arkansas Stae kicker Darren Toney will atempt a 44-yard field goal. The kick flutters in the air, but finds its way over the cross bars.

8:45 p.m. -T-0:06: The Indians spike the ball, and it will be second and ten from the 27. Leonard is pressured and gets rid of the ball for an incompletion. Nevin McKenzie applied the pressure.

8:44 p.m. -T-0:10: Leonard with four receivers finds a hole in the UT zone and Tompkins gets all the way to the UT 27-yard line with 10 seconds to go.

8:43 p.m. -T-0:22: Kevin Jones receives a pass from Leonard; Mayo with the tackle. The Indians use their second timeout with 22 seconds left in the half.

8:42 p.m. -T-0:33: Arkansas State with a nice return close to midfield by Tompkins. The Indians are in the shotgun, but it doesn't matter because Ayers sacks him for a small loss.

8:39 p.m. -T-1:00: Foster runs into his own blocker but recovers nicely to find the hole for a Tennessee touchdown at the one minute mark. Lincoln makes the extra point and the Vols have a 31-14 lead.

8:38 p.m. -T-1:05: Vols are at the 18-yard line. Rogers picks up a first down on a swing pass. The Indians commit a personal foul. The Vols will be at the five yard line, first and goal.

8:37 p.m. -T-1:14: Ainge lines up in the shotgun once again and he finds Lucas Taylor wide open for a Tennessee first down. The Vols are at the 18-yard line.

8:36 p.m. -T-1:28: Ainge's pass was intended for Rogers, but it was deflected by Montis Harrisonn. Second and 10 for the Vols. Foster is coming into the game. Ainge can't find an open receiver. It's third down.

8:36 p.m. -T-1:39: The pass is intercepted by Brent Vinson with 1:39 on the clock. Tennessee will have the ball at the Arkansas State 40-yard line.

8:35 p.m. -T-1:47: Demonte Bolden deflects a pass and its second and 10 for Arkansas State.

8:34 p.m. -T-1:56: Leonard is in the shotgun once again and completes a pass to Dejohnette for a first down to the 35-yard line.

8:33 p.m. -T-2:05: Arkansas State will start their opening drive at their own 23-yard line. Leonard is in the shotgun and finds Brandon Tompkins for a seven yard gain.

8:31 p.m. -T-2:21: Very impressive drive by the Vols. The offense and specifically Ainge needed to atone for the Arkansas State touchdown and responded nicely. The Vols did a great job of blending run and pass.

8:30 p.m. -T-2:21: Coker takes it to the endzone for a 25-yard gain. Tennessee touchdown with 2:21 showing on the clock. The score is Tennessee 24 and Arkansas State 14 with 2:21 left in the half.

8:29 p.m. -T-2:30: Ainge throws a dart to Rogers over the middle but he couldn't hold on. It's second down and 10.

8:29 p.m. -T-2:50: Ainge finds Briscoe for a gain of 17.

8:28 p.m. -T-3:05: Foster carries for another first down to the 42 yard line.

8:27 p.m. -T-3:17: Ainge passes to Lucas Taylor who picks up eight, now at the Arkansas State 46.

8:27 p.m. -T-3:34: The Vols line up in an 'I' formation. Foster picks up the first down.

8:25 p.m. -T-3:48: Ainge in shotgun gives the ball to Coker, who jitterbugs his way near the first down marker. The officials are measuring and the Vols are short. It will be third and one for UT at the UT 42 yard line.

8:24 p.m. -T-4:11: First and 10. Ainge in a shotgun, passes to Rogers, who is ruled out of bounds. This brings up second and 10 with 4:11 left in the second quarter. The crowd is not pleased, but there is no review of the play.

8:23 p.m. -T-4:30: Coker picks up the first down for the Vols on a gain of six. 

8:23 p.m. -T-4:50: Coker carries for a seven yard gain to the 27, 2nd down and three.

8:22 p.m. -T-5:10: Leonard throws short of his receiver and it will be fourth down for Arkansas State. Brett Shrable will punt for the Indians. The ball goes into the end zone. Tennessee will start its next drive at the 20.

8:20 p.m. -T-5:38: Second down, Brown carries for a short gain. It will be third and long for Arkansas State.

8:19 p.m. -T-7:00: Preston Brown carries for another Arkansas State first down. The Indians are in Vol territory at the 47.

8:18 p.m. -T-7:17: Arkansas State jumps early and it's now 1st and fifteen at their own 11. Reggie Arnold runs through a massive hole all the way to the 41 yard line. It's a 30 yard gain for the Indians.

8:17 p.m. -T-7:26: Colquitt with a high punt and the Volunteer special teams meet Kevin Jones at the 16 yard line. The punt goes for 39 yards and Jones got nothing on the return.

8:16 p.m. -T-7:36: 2nd and six. Austin Rogers catches the pass from Ainge but is lit up by Daylan Walker. 3rd and 4. The pass is incomplete to Rogers and its fourth down.

8:14 p.m. -T-8:40: Ainge completes a pass to Foster who surprisingly loses the foobtall but maintains possession.

8:13 p.m. -T-9:05: LaMarcus Coker aka the Human Red Bull takes it to the 39 yard line.

8:10 p.m. -T-9:13: The Indian defense rounds up Creer after a short gain. Tennessee faces a third and three. Ainge is under center and is picked off. Arkansas State defensive back Tyrell Johnson picks it off and takes it 54 yards. Tennessee 17 Arkansas State 14.

8:09 p.m. -T-10:05: Creer gets the ball again and picks up six. Tennesse on the Arkansas State 47.

8:08 p.m. -T-10:56: Creer picks up the first down near midfield.

8:08 p.m. -T-11:00: Ainge completes a wide receiver screen to Briscoe who again seems to be astonished about not getting tackled immediately. Seven yard gain.

8:07 p.m. -T-11:40: Ainge is under center and rolls out to find Chris Brown. He gains enough for a first down. The Vols are at the Indian 35.

8:02 p.m. -T-12:30: Ainge is in the shotgun on second down and completes a pass to Quentin Hancock. It's third and 2. 

8:00 p.m. -T-12:45: Leonard is chased around the pocket and nearly throws an interception to Marsalous Johnson. It's punting time. Once again Hefney looks for a hole but is nearly decapitated. Tennessee will start its next drive at the 19 yard line.

7:58 p.m. -T-13:13: Brown gains six on a delayed handoff. It's third and ten. 

7:57 p.m. -T-13:50: Leonard is sacked for a six yard loss by a host of Volunteers but Robert Ayers gets credit.It's second and long for Arkansas State. 

7:56 p.m. -T-14:53: Leonard opens the second quarter with a swing pass to Preston Brown who picks up 8 yards. Brett Vinson makes his first tackle as a Volunteer.

Second Quarter 

7:53 p.m. - End of the First Quarter: The Tennessee offense looks very solid as the receivers are finding holes in the Arkansas State defense all over the field. The defense is holding their own but has to avoid giving up the big plays. The Tennessee special teams have been a pleasant surprise.

7:52 p.m. -T-0:15: Preston Brown carries for a first down all the way to the 28 yard line.

7:51 p.m. -T-0:30: The Tennessee kick coverage once again looks solid. There is a penalty though and it is against Arkansas State for holding. The Indians are backed up to the 10 yard line.

7:50 p.m. -T-0:38: Lincoln attempts a 29 yard field goal that is good. 17-7, Tennessee. Lincoln has made 7th consecutive kicks which is the best start in the history of Tennessee kickers. 

7:49 p.m. -T-0:42: Coker carries to the twelve where its 3rd and 6. Ainge operates out of the shotgun and finds no open receivers. The kicking team is coming on to attempt a field goal 

7:48 p.m. -T-1:43: Kenny O'Neal gains two on a reverse to the fourteen. Second down, 8 yards to next down. 

7:47 p.m. -T-2:17: On second and short, Tennessee runs with Coker to the Arkansas State 16 yard line for another Tennessee first down.

7:46 p.m. -T-3:15: Josh Briscoe catches a completion at the Arkansas State thirty five and seems to be amazed at how open he was. First down UT at the 28 of Arkansas State. 

7:45 p.m. -T-3:36: Coker carries for a thirteen yard gain on first down. Tennessee has ball at the 46 of Tennessee. Ainge is nearly picked off.

7:44 p.m. - T-3:59: Hefney looked around for an opening but found none. Tennessee starts its next drive at their own 33 yard line.

7:43 p.m. - T-4:23: The Tennessee defense tackles a scrambling Corey Leonard who gains 5 yards. Arkansas State will punt to Jonathan Hefney.

7:41 p.m. - T-5:04: A holding call backs up Arkansas State. It's first and 19 for Arkansas State. The Tennessee defense swallows Reggie Arnold. It's second and long for the Indians. Leonard comes out of the shotgun and throws an incompletion. The Tennessee defense is looking good.

7:39 p.m. - T-6:14: Tennessee with good kick coverage as Arkansas State will start their next drive at the 24 yard line. 

7:35 p.m. - T-6:29: Arkansas State ran into the kicker. First down UT. Ainge throws a Touchdown to Chris Brown and it is now 14-7. 

7:33 p.m. -T-6:35: The ruling on the field is reversed and its fourth and short for Tennessee. Lincoln is on to kick a 37 yard Field Goal.

7:32 p.m. - T-6:49: The fumbled play by Brown is under review. 

7:30 p.m. - T-6:49: Arkansas State kicks off from their 45 yard line. Creer and Coker are set to return the kick.Coker returns it to the eleven. Rogers makes an over the shoulder catch to the thirty four of Tennessee. There is a tight end sighting in Knoxville as Jeff Cottam makes a first down catch for thirteen yards to midfield. Ainge finds a wide open LaMarcus Coker who fell down at the twenty six yard line. The drive stalls as it is third and eight with Ainge in the shotgun. Chris Brown fumbles at the fifteen yard line where it will be 1st and 10 for Arkansas State. 

7:23 p.m. - T-9:22: Arkansas State gained favorable field position on the kickoff annd picked up a first down after two plays. Then QB Corey Leonard found Levi Dejohnette wide open for a huge gain inside the UT five yard line. The Tennessee defense holds strong on first and second down. Leonard dodges the pressure on third down and completes a touchdown pass to Chris Miller. Tennessee picks up a roughing the passer penalty and that will be enforced on the kickoff. The score is 7-7.

7:00 p.m. - Kickoff: Tennessee wins the toss and elects to receive. Lennon Creer and LaMarcus Coker are set to return the kick from Arkansas Statekicker Brian Sheffield. The kick is taken by Nick Reveiz to the 36 yard line of Tennessee. 

Kickoff 

Pre-Game: There are some changes in the depth chart as Eric Berry will now be starting at Strong safety as DeAngelo Willingham will slide to cornerback.